Another Vote Needed On Former Wonderland Site, Ocean City Councilman Says

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A critical vote needed to secure the future of a planned luxury hotel at the site of Gillian's Wonderland Pier failed back in August. But that might not have been the end, as a councilman wants to hold that vote again as early as December.

Councilman Jody Levchuk is one of the councilmembers who voted "no" to designate the site as an area in need of rehabilitation, setting the stage for future construction. But at the latest City Council meeting, Levchuk said that there wasn't going to be another amusement park at the site, and it was time for another vote.

Since the vote failed, a subcommittee for zoning on the Boardwalk was created, which included Levchuk.

"It's just not going to happen," Levchuk said regarding the possibility of another amusement park taking Wonderland's place.

It doesn't necessarily mean that Eustace Mita's ICONA in Wonderland hotel will be built. It just would streamline the process, as anything built there - hotel or not - would likely need a use variance.

Without another vote, Levchuk said the city was "kicking the can down the road." No other amusement park operators are interested in the property, he said, and having it sit vacant is harmful to neighboring Boardwalk businesses.

He wants to get the resolution on the agenda for the Dec. 4 meeting.

"I think we need to discuss putting this back to City Council to determine whether or not this should be a property in need of rehabilitation or redevelopment," Levchuk said. "I think it's important."

Other councilmembers agreed.

Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck and Downtown Merchants Association President Caitlin Quirk similarly spoke in favor of the hotel at the meeting.

City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson noted that a redevelopment agreement would not approve any particular project.

"It just puts you in a position to negotiate with someone who would like to be the designated developer as to what the zoning standards including use would be," she said.

It's unclear what will happen with the property. Mita previously said that bidders including the Norcross family and Ryan Homes were interested in the site.

Previous Reporting

• Powerful Norcross Family Bids On Wonderland Site, Reports Say
• 'It's Over': Wonderland Luxury Hotel Fails Critical Ocean City Council Vote
• Proposed Ocean City Luxury Hotel Launches Petition For Support
• More Than Half In Ocean City Oppose Wonderland Luxury Hotel, New Poll Says
• 'A Better Idea': See Alternative Proposal For Wonderland In Ocean City
• These Ocean City Groups Are Speaking Out Against Wonderland Luxury Hotel
• New Advocacy Group Announces Plans For Ocean City's Future